Malaysian Blues fan travels 7,000 miles only for game to be called off
12 Feb 2014 22:53
However, club arranges for him to meet manager Roberto Martinez and players
A Malaysian Everton FC supporter flew almost 7,000 miles to see his beloved team for the first time in 30 years only to be dismayed when the game was called off.
But Ric Wee's evening of disappointment after the dangerously high winds battering Merseyside caused the postponement of tonight's game versus Crystal Palace was transformed, when the club arranged for him to meet manager Roberto Martinez and his players.
The 40-year-old, who made the long trip with his daughter, is set to return to his Southeast Asian home tomorrow without being able to fulfil his lifelong ambition of watching the Blues play.
Businessman Wee's plight was revealed after he tweeted a photograph of himself inside Goodison last night with the caption, 'Finally, 30 years since supporting
Everton, will b watching EFC "live" for 1st time'.
Only an hour later the club decided to postpone the game due to advice from Merseyside police based on damage sustained to buildings surrounding the stadium and safety concerns for fans.
Blues officials were alerted to Wee's predicament, and quickly arranged for him to meet Martinez and some of the first team players including England left-back Leighton Baines.
Hundreds of supporters also replied to his tweet with messages of support and sympathy.
After returning to his city centre hotel Wee later tweeted, 'Today Everton just prove again that it's the People's Club taking extra effort to connect with fans. Salute the people running the club.
'Wish to thank Everton for the great hospitality. Really appreciate it. Also much oblige to the many Evertonians sending warm messages over
'However, there were many other Evertonians who missed the match incl travelling Palace fans. We all missed the chance to watch a good game'.
Before his flight later today Wee has been invited to return to Goodison for a guided tour of the ground with club legend and fan ambassador Graeme Sharp.
Everton's director of communications Alan Myers said: “Ric was obviously disappointed not to see his team play after waiting for so long and everyone at the club was touched by his story after coming all this way.
“We wanted to try and ensure his trip was memorable for some positive reasons too and he seemed thrilled to meet Roberto and share a laugh and a joke with Leighton.
“As usual the Everton family were right behind him on Twitter and we hope he can return to see the team play soon.”
